I am well informed that two Indorsements have been made on the Accounts I have had the Honour to present to the Commissioners, one of which contains Accusations as injurious to my Reputation as they are false and malignant. The first of these Indorsements is on my Account dated Sept. 10 1778 and is written in the following Words.— “N B The Order from B Franklin and John Adams Esqrs. to the...
12Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 10 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I perceive by the letter you have sent me that Mr. Deane’s claim is ascertaind by marks, and therefore have signd the letter. But I think enquiry shoud be made after those goods which were bought with the public Money in Holland, and which those now given up were supposd to be. I am unwilling to sign the Letter to Capn. Jones, because it does not contain the...
13Charlotte and Peter Amiel to Franklin and John Adams, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Amiel present Compliments to Mr. Franklin and Mr. Adams, will do themselves the pleasure to accept their obliging invitation for next Friday. Addressed: Doctor Franklin / Passy For the husband see the note on Lee to BF above, April 2. The Amiels were frequent dinner guests of the commissioners; so was Jonathan Loring Austin, who also accepted on...
14The Prince de Poix to Franklin and John Adams, [12 April? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Mrs. Harry Hull, Washington, D.C. (1957) Le Prince de Poix est venu pour avoir l’honneur de voir Messieurs Franklin and Adams. Il a le plus grand empressement de faire connoissançe avec Monsieur Adams qui a eu la bonté de lui apporter une lettre de M. de la Faÿette. Il aura l’honneur de repasser mardy matin et de lui offrir tous ses serviçes pour ce qui pouroit lui etre agreable dans ce...
15Arthur Lee to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 7 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
To a written Letter, one of you was civil enough to return me a verbal answer, that Doctor Bancroft was appointed to transact business for us in England, and that his instructions shoud be sent to me. Why you shoud think that in the choice of a person to represent us, I shoud have no voice; I am at a loss to conceive. The notorious character of Dr. Bancroft as a Stockjobber is perfectly known...
16John Paul Jones to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 9 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that this day Arrived here a Virginia Pilot boat from Boston in 23 days. The master reports—that Comte Destaing had saild from thence a fortnight before on a Secret destination—that the Summerset was lost on Cape Cod, the materials saved and the Crew Prisoners —that the Providence, Boston, and Ranger were Arrived having taken two or three Merchant Vessels—That...
17Elijah Hall to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I request your Honours Favour in behalf of the Officers and Men, that you would point out some Method to bring the Prizes to sail, which we took on the late Cruize, as we are much in want of Cloathing and other Necessaries which we cannot do without. Many of Us have Wives and Children now suffering in America, the Time for which most of the People engag’d being now almost expired, and no...
18Arthur Lee to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 17 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being too much indisposd to come to Passi this morning, and thinking the subjects of the enclosd Letters of pressing importance; I have sent you what I think shoud be written. You will make such Alterations as you think proper. But if the subordinate Servants of the public continue to obey or not obey our Orders as they please—to act as they will, without taking our orders—to involve us in...
19Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 28 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Your Letter informing me of the Alteration of your Intention, not having reached my House till some time after the Hour you had appointed for setting out for Versailles, I was gone before it arrived. I informed Count Vergennes, that you were coming, & we waited till 5’ O’Clock under no small Embarressment, especially myself, to conceive what detained you....
20[Edward Bancroft] to [Franklin and John Adams], [before 7 August 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Two copies and transcript: National Archives In early 1778 Silas Deane and his friend Edward Bancroft had used their inside knowledge of the Franco-American treaty negotiations to wager on the London stock market. Unfortunately for them, Musco Livingston, a young ship captain, saw a letter written by Bancroft to a Mr. Wharton (probably Samuel Wharton, Bancroft and Deane’s partner, but perhaps...